De graveur 1929

Johanna Machwirth made this piece, De graveur, with some kind of printmaking process. The first thing I notice is the density of the marks, a stippled effect almost, built up to describe the weight of the figure, and the angle of his intent gaze. It’s a real slow burn. Looking closer, it’s all about the tiny details and the physical effort involved. The grainy texture of the image reminds me of old photographs, and has a kind of melancholic air. I can almost feel the pressure of the engraver's hands, his concentration palpable in the precise, deliberate marks that form the image. Look at the way the light catches on his brow, and how this contrasts with the shadows surrounding his eyes. I'm reminded a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker, who was working in a similar time and place, and had a similar interest in everyday labour. Ultimately, this piece reminds me that art, like life, is a process of careful observation and considered action.